A 44-year-old man was killed Friday after a hit-and-run crash on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, police said. The man was struck on Lexington Avenue near East 61st Street, then rushed by emergency responders to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers said the driver sped off instead of stopping, and no arrests had been announced as of Friday.
According to PIX11, the NYPD said the vehicle was heading south on Lexington Avenue when it hit the victim near East 61st Street. Detectives have classified the case as a hit-and-run, and police said the man suffered severe trauma. Investigators are canvassing the area and speaking with witnesses as the probe remains active.
The NYPD is asking anyone with information or footage to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), per NYPD. Tips can also be submitted online through the department's tip portal to help identify the vehicle and the driver.
Fatal Lexington Crash Rekindles Safety Fears
Lexington Avenue has seen deadly crashes before. In 2017, a woman was killed in a hit-and-run near East 68th Street, highlighting long-running concerns about pedestrian safety on the busy corridor, as reported by DNAinfo. Neighborhood advocates have pushed for tougher enforcement and traffic-calming measures along north-south avenues like Lexington to slow drivers and prevent more tragedies.
What the Law Says
Under New York law, leaving the scene of a crash that causes serious injury or death can be prosecuted as a felony under the state’s vehicle and traffic rules, with potential prison time and fines depending on the circumstances and evidence, according to court rulings and legal summaries on law.justia. Prosecutors decide on charges based on the severity of the outcome and whether the driver knowingly failed to stop and report the collision.
The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is leading the case, and investigators are reviewing surveillance and traffic camera footage in an effort to identify the vehicle involved, PIX11 reported. Anyone with video, dash-cam footage, or other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or reach out to their local precinct so detectives can follow up.
